Beresford Foreshore closure extended

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the closure of the Beresford Foreshore between the ocean to the kerb on the west side of Chapman Road is being extended north from Midalia Beach to Mabel Street.

The extended closure will take effect on Tuesday 6 March 2018 and will remain in place until the Beresford Foreshore Enhancement works are completed in July 2018.

To ensure community safety during works, members of the community are encouraged to use the footpath on the east side of Chapman Road, the dedicated cycle lanes on either side of Chapman Road or take alternative routes until the project is completed.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Temporary closure of Devil’s Creek Road

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be closing Devil’s Creek Road between Mingenew-Mullewa Road and Ardingly Road South to widen a 300m section of road with works scheduled to commence on Tuesday 6 March 2018 for a period of approximately six weeks.

Works will include a reduction in crest height to improve sight lines and safety for road users. The anticipated hours of work will be from 7am to 6pm.

The WA State Government Black Spot Program is contributing two thirds of the funding with the City of Greater Geraldton contributing one third to the project.

Members of the community are requested to use alternative routes during this time and to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Partial road closure on Durlacher Street

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the CBD outbound lane on Durlacher Street between Waldeck and Shenton Streets is closed. A detour is in place. The CBD inbound traffic lane is not affected. The closed traffic lane will be reopened before the end of the day.

Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Giant interactive puppetry joins WoW Fest Program

Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is bringing its acclaimed unique puppet performance String Symphony to this year’s Wind on Water Festival. Picture: Luke Baker.

You haven’t seen a puppet like this before! It’s giant, it’s interactive and you can help bring it to life at this year’s Wind on Water Festival.

Unlike anything ever seen in Geraldton, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is bringing its acclaimed unique puppet performance String Symphony to the Midwest to wow crowds.

Thanks to sponsorship from Mid West Ports Authority, the four-metre tall hand-woven illuminated puppet will come to life with the help of the community to pull the strings.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said String Symphony will have crowds enthralled.

“This is really an out of the box installation and something that is all about community collaboration and connection,” he said.

“String Symphony is going to pack a real punch as part of the WoW Fest program and we’re excited to welcome something so unique to the line-up.

“It will be an activity that everyone will enjoy! Whether it’s having a go at pulling the strings or marvelling at the visually stunning piece – you really won’t want to miss it.”

Presented by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, String Symphony aims to connect complete strangers creating a real conversation between the participants, the artwork and the performers while creating an enchanting and entertaining spectacle for the greater audience.

String Symphony will be on the Geraldton Foreshore as part on WoW Fest on April 21 and 22. The free event will be available to the community across the two days and into the evenings.

WoW Fest is set to encompass everything Geraldton has to offer from perfect weather, water sports plus amazing family activities on our beautiful Foreshore.

Program activities include kite workshops and displays, air displays, an Ultimate Water Sports show, a sand sculpture, fishing competitions, sunset entertainment and a concert featuring The Veronicas and San Cisco on Sunday 22 April.

WoW Festival is jointly funded by the Australian Government's Building Better Regions Fund and the City of Greater Geraldton. String Symphony is sponsored by Mid West Ports Authority.

For more information regarding the event or for tickets to the WoW Fest concert, head to www.wowfest.com.au

City saves energy and water

New LED light fixtures at the Eighth Street sports precinct carpark.

The City is continuing its journey towards environmental sustainability with recent upgrades to lighting and irrigation systems to save energy and water.

Aged metal halide light fixtures in Grams Park in Rangeway and in the Eighth Street sports precinct carpark have been replaced with energy efficient LED lights whilst eight parks and sporting ovals are being fitted with a new centrally controlled irrigation system.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn said the changes would help reduce the City’s yearly operating costs.

“The replacement of the 250W metal halide light fixtures with 125W LEDs has reduced the energy consumption of these lights by 58 per cent or more than $3000 per annum,” he said.

“The savings will continue to increase when the remaining eight fixtures adjacent to the Eighth Street tennis court carpark are changed over next financial year.

“The installation of irrigation controllers with rain water sensors which are connected via the ‘virtual cloud’ will enable greater control over the watering of sporting grounds and public open space as staff can adjust, start and stop watering programs from anywhere using mobile devices or computers.

“It’s estimated the new system will save at least 10 per cent in scheme water consumption and an additional 10 per cent in energy savings through a reduction in bore pump running times,” he added.

These changes also directly align with Council’s sustainability and climate change policies, which were developed to future proof the City.

“Reducing our carbon footprint whilst ensuring water is used efficiently are critical steps we must all make to benefit our future generations,” Mayor Van Styn said.

Remote irrigation controllers are being installed in Muir Park, Alexander Park, Greenough Oval, Eadon Clarke Sports Park, Town Foreshore parks, Maitland Park and on 75 per cent of the Wonthella Oval.

Rabbit baiting on Kempton Street

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise it will be undertaking rabbit baiting in the Kempton Street reserve at Fuller Street to reduce the rabbit population.

Between Wednesday 28 February and Wednesday 7 March, specially designed covered bait stations containing oats mixed with Pindone, an anticoagulant poison similar to that found in many rat and rodent control baits, will be put out at night when rabbits are most active.

Members of the community are requested to manage their pets carefully while warning signage is present. An antidote is available from veterinarians should there be a concern about pets.

Adjacent landholders are asked to bury or dispose of any rabbit carcasses that they find on their properties to reduce the risk to non-target species that may consume dead rabbits.

The City apologises for any inconvenience the baiting program may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Brighter future for WA hemp producers

Proposed amendments to the Industrial Hemp Act 2004 will help drive growth in the hemp industry and promote regional jobs, according to Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Ian Blayney.

“Changing this law will enable a greater level of local production, which is vital for development in the regions,” Mr Blayney said.

“Allowing a higher tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration threshold in hemp plants will result in more viable hemp crop products.”

Mr Blayney believes that increasing the level of THC to its maximum of 1 per cent will make it easier for farmers to sustain their crops.

“The variety of hemp that farmers can access will be greater and they won’t have to worry that their plants coming in at more than 0.35 THC,” he said.

“This change will create real potential for this agricultural sector.

“The range of versatile end uses for hemp, coupled with the availability of more varieties, provides plenty of optimism for industry expansion, particularly in the regions.

“This is an excellent opportunity for growers and processors throughout the State.

“It will help to boost the economy by adding to the potential of long-term markets and creating sustainable jobs in regional communities.”

Stormwater drainage works at Sunset Beach

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise we will be removing the stormwater outfall pipe at Triton Place and redirecting future stormwater to the existing swale located south of Triton Place.

Works, which will reduce the impact of stormwater runoff on the beach, will take place between Wednesday 28 February and Friday 3 March 2018 from 7.30am to 4.00pm daily.

Members of the community are requested to exercise caution and obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

Geraldton event for potential Churchill Fellowship applicants

A national program that offers Australians inspiring opportunities to travel overseas and investigate a topic or issue they are passionate about is running an information session in Geraldton early next month.

Churchill Fellowships are open to anyone who would like to see what other countries are doing successfully in a similar field, to inspire new ideas and innovation that will benefit Australia. About 100 Churchill Fellowships are awarded annually, including some relating specifically to agriculture, health, education, the environment and the arts.

"While anyone can apply, this year we are making a concerted effort to encourage more applications from rural and regional Australians keen to explore issues relevant to their local community, industry or profession," says Churchill Trust CEO Adam Davey.

"To support this effort, we are running an expanded program of Information Sessions in sixteen regional centres, including Geraldton on Wednesday, March 7. We hope people who live and work in the area will take advantage of this opportunity to learn more first-hand about Churchill Fellowships and how to put together a successful application."

No prescribed qualifications are required in order to apply and the subject of the proposed project is limitless. However, it is important that applicants demonstrate they have exhausted available options in Australia for learning more, that there are a clear potential benefits to their sector or community, and they are willing to share the knowledge gained.

“What is great about a Churchill Fellowship is that it allows the applicant to create their own project, so they can address what is most important and beneficial for their area of interest, and that often aligns with issues of local, regional or national importance,” said Mr Davey.

“While you could research what is happening overseas online, returning Fellows consistently report that it is invaluable to fully immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and experiences, and that the relationships formed through this journey are often long lasting. Because the Fellowships are held in such high regard around the world, travelling as a Churchill Fellow also opens doors to access expertise that is typically not available."

Churchill Fellows come from all walks of life, with some being experienced veterans in their field and others ambitious people forging new directions. "The common denominators are that they have a genuine passion for their area of interest, and drive to make a difference," Mr Davey said.

The Geraldton information session will be held at the Geraldton Police Complex, from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Entry is free but registration is essential, via www.churchilltrust.com.au/events

People can also follow the Churchill Trust on Facebook for advice about a live Q&A to be held in late March. More information is also available by visiting www.churchillfellowships.com.au

Applications close April 27, for travel between February 2019 and January 2020.

Mike Bell - Mike received a fellowship in 2014 to examine intervention programs that divert people from becoming involved in violent extremism, visiting the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Canada, and the USA. Over his career, Mike has been involved in metropolitan, regional and remote community policing, criminal investigations, security operations, overseas peace-keeping, corporate project management and professional standards.

Belinda Wainwright - was awarded the Department for Child Protection and Family Support Churchill Fellowship in 2014 to explore opportunities for improving education attainment for children with an out of home care experience, especially Aboriginal children. She visited Canada and the USA. Belinda is currently District Director at Department of Communities - Child Protection and Family Support, in Geraldton.

Lis Turner - received the Vincent Fairfax Ethics in Leadership Foundation Churchill Fellowship in 2012 to explore the use of information and communication technologies to enhance and innovate student learning in Malaysia, Singapore and Korea. Lis is principal at Waggrakine Primary School in Geraldton.

Damage and Stealing Arrest

At 6:15 pm on Wednesday 15 February 2018, a male was renovating in his rear yard located in Abraham Street Rangeway having recently moved into the address.

For reasons unknown a 25 year old male offender from Rangeway has kicked in a rear fence panel and entered the yard confronting the occupant.

The offender has armed himself with a shovel laying nearby threatening the occupant to a fight. The occupant has backed away to his house and the offender ran from the rear yard.

Police attended shortly after locating and arresting the person nearby in Clematis Crescent Utakarra still in possession of the shovel.

The male was later released to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court on charges of:

• Being armed in way that may cause fear
• Damage
• Stealing
• Trespassing.

Possess Weapon and Possess Drugs Charge

At about 1:30 am Thursday 15 February 2018, Officers from the Geraldton Police Station conducted a traffic stop on a Holden Cruze travelling along North West Coastal Highway Waggrakine.

After speaking with the occupants police have searched the vehicle during which officers located a small amount of Cannabis and a silver metal knuckle duster inside the vehicle.

As a result a 30 year old male from Tarcoola Beach was charged with being in possession of the weapon and a 28 year old male charged with being in possession of a prohibited drug. Both have been summons to appear before the Geraldton Magistrate.

Disorderly Behaviour Arrest

At about 10:20 am on Tuesday 13 February 2018, Police received calls from the public regarding a fight that was happening on Chapman Road Geraldton near Stirling’s Shopping Centre.

Two females were located at the location in an agitated state and spoken to by police.

A 45 year old female and 22 year old female both from Waggrakine were ordered away from the Central Business District and both summonsed to appear before the Geraldton Magistrates Court on charges of disorderly behaviour in a public place.

Firearm Incident Arrest

At about 9:45 pm on the Tuesday 13 February 2018 Police received calls regarding a possible gun having been discharged in the vicinity of Sullivan Court Rangeway. Police provided an immediate response and conducted investigations into the allegation.

At 3.50 on the 14 February the person of interest was sighted by police jumping a fence from an address in Kul town Drive Waggrakine.

After a short foot chase the person of interested was arrested by Officers from the Geraldton Police Complex.

After further inquiries a 34 year old male from Rangeway was charged by Geraldton Detectives and held in custody to appear before the Geraldton Magistrate on the following charges:

• Unlicensed person possess Firearm/Ammunition x 2
• Threats to Injure, Endanger or Harm any Person
• Endanger Life, Health or Safety of a Person.

If you have any further information please contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

Temporary closure of Wonthella Skatepark

The City of Greater Geraldton wishes to advise the Wonthella Skatepark, located on Pass Street, will be temporarily closed from Monday 19 February to Sunday 25 February 2018 to undertake maintenance works.

Works will include the repair of general wear and tear followed by the resealing of all concrete surfaces. The anticipated hours of work will be between from 7.30am to 4.30pm.

During this period, the Skatepark will be fenced off and members of the community are requested to not to use the Skatepark. Alternative skateparks are located in Maitland Park, Glendinning Park, Strathalbyn, Forrester Park and Drummond Cove.

Members of the community are also requested to obey all warning signs and directions from authorised City personnel and contractors.

The City apologises for any inconvenience these works may cause.

If you have any queries please contact the City on (08) 9956 6600 or email council@cgg.wa.gov.au.

City welcomes translating and interpreting services

People who speak languages other than English can now access services from the City of Greater Geraldton with greater convenience, thanks to the introduction of translating and interpreting facilities.

The service, which is provided by Department of Home Affairs, is free for residents and ratepayers who are not proficient in English and has over 80 languages available.

City of Greater Geraldton Chief Executive Officer Ross McKim welcomed the addition. 

“We are taking customer service to the next level and are delighted to launch our new translating and interpreting facilities,” he said.

“Greater Geraldton is home to a rich multicultural community and we want to remove all language barriers.

“Customers and staff are now able to speak with an interpreter via telephone. We are also very fortunate to have staff who speak different languages and where possible, we will try to use their skillsets.”

Phone interpreting services are available at the Civic Centre as well as the Geraldton Regional Library, Geraldton Regional Art Gallery, Aquarena, Mullewa District Office, Queens Park Theatre and the Queen Elizabeth II Seniors & Community Centre.

Members of the public are also able to access the service, however, telephone charges may apply.

If members of the community do require TIS services with the City, it is recommended a booking is made with the Customer Service department to ensure an interpreter is available at a time that is convenient to you.

For more information about the City of Greater Geraldton’s translating and interpreting facilities, please visit https://www.cgg.wa.gov.au/your-council/news-and-information/customer-service/translating-and-interpreting-assistance.aspx or https://www.tisnational.gov.au/

Armed Robbery Arrest

At about 2:00 pm on the 13 February 2018 a male has attended the BWS Bottle Shop at the Wintersun Hotel BLUFF POINT.

Staff from BWS have provided assistance to obtain his purchase. The male has distracted the staff during which he ran from the store with alcohol that he had not paid for.

2 Staff members have attempted to retrieve the products from the male when he produced a knife which he was carrying and threatened to harm the employees.

Police have been called and 30 minutes later located a male walking in Spalding who matched the description and CCTV images that had been obtained.

A 41 year old Male from South Perth was arrested on suspicion and conveyed to the Geraldton Police Station where he was later charged with Armed Robbery.

He was refused Bail and is due to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court today.

Burglary and Drug Arrest

On the 11 February 2018, on Hardman Road Rangeway Officers from the Geraldton Police Station spoke with a 19 year old male from Rangeway.

After speaking with the man he was identified as being a person of interest for a burglary that had occurred in Bunbury in November 2017. Whilst being spoken to he was searched by police and found to be in possession of an amount of cannabis.

The male was arrested and charged by officers for the offences of Burglary, Stealing, and Stealing from Motor Vehicle and Possess Cannabis.

He was bailed to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

Trespass Arrest

At 3:00am on Sunday 11 February 2018, an intoxicated 28 Year old male from Northam has attended a business address in Bayly Street Geraldton.

At the address he has smashed a glass bedroom window, climbed through the window falling asleep on a bed within the premises.

Officers have attend shortly after locating the male still asleep. He was arrested and charged for the offences of Damage and Trespass. He is due to appear before the Geraldton Magistrates Court.

Possess Weapon

At about 4:30 pm on the 11 February 2018, Officers from the Geraldton Police Station were at the Home Maker Centre, North West Coastal Highway Webberton.

Whilst in attendance officers sighted two males whom were behaving in a suspicious manner. Whilst being spoken to officers had cause to search the men’s belongings during which officers located a 20 cm Kitchen Knife which one of the men was carrying to protect himself with.

The knife was seized and a 31 year old male from Spalding has been summons to appear in the Geraldton magistrates Court.

Unlawful Wounding Arrest

On the 11 February 2018 a 21st Birthday was being celebrated at an address in Abraham Street Utakarra.

At about 3 am the celebration was coming to a close and people were leaving the address. Whilst people were milling in the street a fight has broken out during which a 26 year old female from Beachlands and 28 year old female from Perth were both stabbed in the arm and shoulder sustaining non-life threatening injuries. Both were conveyed to the Geraldton Regional Hospital for treatment to injuries they had received.

A 22 year old female Rangeway was arrested by police at the scene where she was later charged with 2 counts of Unlawful Wounding and remanded in custody to appear in the Geraldton Magistrates Court.